A panel discussion on historically black fraternities and sororities criticized comparisons of the black Greek system and modern day gangs before an audience of about 30 people last night in 105 Dartmouth.
The panel -- comprised of members of Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities and Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta sororities -- said the article in an Emory University publication failed to show the positive qualities of the Greek system and drew false parallels between Greeks and gangs.
The article -- "Black Greeks or Black Gangs?" -- compared the street violence of some gangs to the inter-fraternity violence at Illinois University, and also made comparisons to the alleged acts of violence in fraternity and gang initiation.
The panel criticized the article for a one-sided portrayal of black Greek life.
"Unlike individuals in a gang, fraternity members are already firmly grounded," Kappa Alpha Psi member Rahsaan Sales '99 said. "People who join gangs have no sense of self-identity."
Deborah Green '99, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, said the violence referred to in the article "is the exception, not the rule."
In addition to the article's description of hazing rituals, which panelists said seldom occur, members of the panel said some of the other comparisons between Greeks and gangs, such as the observation that both utilize signs, colors and handshakes, were unfair.
A couple of the panel members said these stereotypes are created and perpetuated by movies like Spike Lee's "School Daze," which depicted hazing and violence among black fraternities.
After these opening remarks, the discussion opened to the audience with questions that focused on the elitism of organizations and hazing within the system.
Panel members agreed that the Greek houses were exclusive, but countered that this did not have an adverse effect on those who interacted with them at the College, comparing their selection process to Dartmouth admissions procedures.
In response to questions about hazing, Sylvia Langford, dean of the Class of 1999, said, "there are two sides -- those who perpetuate it and those who accept it."
At the conclusion of the discussion, Office of Residential Life Area Director Chris Chambers said, "people should find out for themselves what the organization is all about."
